Wauwatosa West class of 2026 | Calvin

May 18

Written By Abbie

If you've been Googling "what do seniors actually need to do before graduation" and ended up here — you're welcome. Grab a coffee and stay a while.

Calvin is wrapping up his time at Wauwatosa West, and I couldn't be more excited for him. The kid has been busy every single season of high school. He’s got big plans for his future and I can’t wait to hear all about it.

Calvin, we're rooting for you. Go do great things. Congratulations on your Class of 2026 graduation!

Oh, wait. Before we head straight into his senior portraits we need to first take a little stroll down memory lane (sorry Calvin, this is happening).

*Family holiday photos with his older sister, Isabel, 2021*

NAME
Calvin

SCHOOL
Wauwatosa West High School

SESSION DATE
October 4, 2025

SESSION LOCATION
Hart Park

POST-GRAD PLANS
going into carpentry

ACTIVITIES + SPORTS
football, wrestling, track

JOB
Cranky Al’s

THE SENIOR YEAR CHECKLIST: EVERYTHING TO DO (AND WHEN)

Consider this a gift from one senior family to every family who's about to realize senior year has a LOT of moving parts.

Whether your senior is headed to a four-year university, a trade program, the military, straight into the workforce, or still figuring it out, here’s a checklist that nobody hands out on the first day of school. This is the guide I wish everyone had in June.

Dates vary by school and individual path. Always confirm specifics with your counselor or the relevant program. But this will at least give you a good headstart so nothing catches you off guard.

SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR | June – August

This is the season most families underestimate. It feels like a break. It feels endless. It is not.

BOOK + COMPLETE SENIOR PORTRAITS This is the one that families consistently wait too long on (and regret it). Summer means open schedules, no sports conflicts, and beautiful outdoor light. Most yearbook submission deadlines fall in October and November. Fall sessions fill FAST, especially considering all the other back-to-school activities fighting for attention. Book in summer, before "we'll get to it later" becomes a very stressful September.

START/CONTINUE RESEARCHING YOUR PATH —
- College-bound: start your school list, visit campuses.
- Trade/vocational: research programs, apprenticeships, and application timelines.
- Military: connect with a recruiter early. The enlistment and processing timeline is longer than most families expect.
- Workforce: start conversations with employers, look into certifications relevant to your field, and whether any licensing or credentialing is needed.
- Gap year: yes, this still requires a plan. Research structured programs, travel logistics, and financial planning now.

REQUEST LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Ask before summer ends, not in September when everyone else is scrambling.

START SCHOLARSHIP RESEARCH There are scholarships for all students, no matter your path. Start a list now.

EARLY FALL | September – October

Fall flies by fast. This is execution season.

SUBMIT YEARBOOK PHOTO Most schools require portraits by October or November. BONUS: when you hire Stories Framed Photography, we submit the yearbook photo for you… so consider this checked off!

PAY SENIOR YEAR SCHOOL FEES Most schools have senior dues that cover things like cap and gown, graduation ceremony costs, and senior events. Sometimes these are paid at registration.

ORDER CAP + GOWN Ordering windows open in fall. Miss it and you're probably paying a rush fee in spring.

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS + ESSAYS The Common App opens August 1. Early Decision and Early Action deadlines typically fall between October 15 and November 15. Essays take longer than you think they will. Start early. Better yet, call my friend Teege at Class 101 for support.

COMPLETE FAFSA It opens October 1 and applies to more than four-year universities. Trade schools, technical colleges, and vocational programs often qualify for federal financial aid too. File early.

APPLY FOR FALL SCHOLARHIPS Local scholarships through community foundations, employers, civic organizations, and trade associations often open in fall with year-end deadlines. Cast a wide net.

LATE FALL / EARLY WINTER | November – December

The first big wave of deadlines wraps up here.

SUBMIT EARLY DECISION/EARLY ACTION APPLICATIONS Decisions come back in December. Merit scholarship announcements often follow.

SENIOR MEMORY DEADLINES Many schools collect senior quotes, senior wills, or memory book entries in late fall or early spring. Watch for those deadlines from your school.

WINTER / SPRING | January – May

This is the home stretch. You can do it!

REGULAR DECISION COLLEGE APPLICATIONS DUE Most fall between January 1 and February 1. Keep a spreadsheet. Don’t miss any little detail!

COMPARE FINANCIAL AID/PROGRAM OFFERS Once acceptances arrive, compare costs carefully. The sticker price and the actual cost are often very different numbers.

AP EXAMS Exams are in May but registration and fee deadlines happen months earlier — confirm with your school counselor.

COMMIT TO A PLAN National Decision Day is May 1. Stories Framed Photography seniors will be invited to come in for a cap and gown session - and a college t-shirt session, too! Show off your school colors!

ENJOY IT! Last season of high school sports. Senior week. Prom. Graduation. Take ALL the pictures. It goes faster than anyone warns you. And of course - congratulations! You made it!

ONE MORE THING ABOUT THOSE SENIOR PORTRAITS

Summer books fast in the Milwaukee and Waukesha area. If your student is in the Class of 2027, NOW is the time to get on the calendar — before the schedule fills up and before yearbook deadlines are breathing down your neck. Summer is an absolutely ideal time to get senior portraits taken.

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